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F. H. STANWOOD.

STEP PLATE,

APPLICATION FILED AUG-20, I919- Patentd June 27, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. STANWOOD. OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO STAN'WOOD EQUIPMENTCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

STEP PLATE.

Application filed August 20, 1919.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK H. S'IAXWOOD, acitizen of the United States, residing in hicago, in the county of Cool:and State of Illinois. have invented a new and useful Improvement inStep Plates. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to safety step plates for automobilesand the like. and has for its object the provision oi a safety stepplate of new and improved construction adapted to be 't'astcned in placeupon the running board of the automobile without the necessity ofproviding special tools or implements. and also without requiringparticular or complicated instructions for the installation. I

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a stepplate of the character described which will be so constructed that theparts subject to greatestwear may be readily removed and replaced andthe remaining parts permanently protected against marring. damage in useand rapid deterioration.

The inventioir has for a further object the provision of a step plate ofthe character described of pleasing and novel appearance. oi unusuallydurable quality and which may be cheaply manu'tactured.

Numerous other objects and advantages oi the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following desrription whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating apreferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a step plate embodying my presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof. parts of the ribs being brokenaway.

Fig. is a section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line l-'t of Fig. 1.

My present invention is shown on the drawings as embodied in a step,plate consisting of a metal plate 11. of suitable size and shape andhaving two sets or series of parallel slots 12, this plate being coveredentirely with rubber or other yielding or vulcanizable material, andhaving yielding tread ribs 13 of rubber or the like disposed through theslots.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1922.

Serial No. 319,664.

The material of the sheet is pressed up at 14 about the slots to provideupstanding and slightly inwardly extending walls and a. continuouscoating of rubber 15 is over all of the metal of the sheet. The ribs 13each comprise an upstanding body and have at each side at the bottom alaterally projecting foot or extension 17 which preferably also extendsbeyond the end of the rib so that the rib is provided with a continuoustoot extending about it.

The. ribs are pushed through. the slots from beneath and arefrictionally held in place. the feet 17 aiding in preventing the ribsbeing pulled out of the slots when the step plate is in position uponthe running board of an automobile and the tightness ot' fit between therib and rubber covered slot wall. which walls may if desired press intothe rubber of the rib, prevents dislodgment of the ribs after assemblyand iuitil they are in position for use. It will of course be understoodthat these step plates are made up as shown on the drawing and furnishedto the trade in this condition, and it is particularly desirable thatthe ribs be Securely held in place prior to atfixing them in permanentlocation, to the end that no assembling may benecessary in suchoperation and to the further and perhaps more important end that thereshall be no need of individually holding the ribs in place in the slotsat the time the plate is placed upon the running board.

The. rubber or like coating of the plate does not scratch or mar and ispreferably vulcanized to the metal. This may be accomplished by puttinga thin film of copper on the plate before it is placed in the mold withthe rubber. The rubber coating therefor provides a permanent protectionfor the plate and since the ribs receive substantially all the wearreplacement of worn parts is easy and quickly accomplished. This may bedone by merely removing the plate from the running board, taking out theworn ribs, inserting new ones in their place and re msitioning.

It will be noted that the rubber coating ofthe metal body not onlyprevents marring and rusting of said body but also provides means foreffectually holding the inserted ribs during transit handling and untilactual application to the running board.

It is thought that the invention and ma" j of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, oonstruetiou andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

1 claim:

1. A safety step plate for automobiles and the like, comprising incombination a slotted plate having a protective yielding coating andyielding ribs disposed through the slots of said plate and protrudingabove said plate.

2. A safety step plate for automobiles and the like, comprising a metalsheet coated with a material vulcanized thereto, and having slotsdisposed therethrough, and ribs of similar material disposed tl'iroughthe slots and protruding thereabove.

3. A safety step plate for automobiles and the like, comprising aslotted metal plate covered with a. protective yielding coating andyielding ribs extending up through the slots and having laterallyextending "feet or projections at their sides disposed beneath saidplate.

4;. A safety step plate for automobiles and the like comprising a metalplate having slots surrounded by upstanding Walls and covered with aprotective yielding c0ating, and yielding ribs thrust therethrough frombeneath and having laterally extendin projections or feet disposedbeneath said plate.

A safety step plate for automobiles and the like, comprising a slottedmetal sheet entirely encased in rubber and rubber ribs insertablethrough the slots of said sheet and protruding thereabove and meansbeneath the sheet for holding said ribs against removal.

6. A safety step plate for automobiles and the like comprising a metalsheet having slots surrounded by upstanding Walls, rubber covering saidentire sheet, and rubber ribs having lateral extensions at their hottomsand disposed through said slots.

FRANK H. STANWVOOD.

